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[av_heading heading=’Fajardo poised for MVP plum despite Beermen semis exit ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Despite failing to tow the San Miguel Beermen to the 2016 Oppo PBA Governor’s Cup finals, June Mar Fajardo is still heavily-favored to capture his third straight PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy.
The Pinamungahan, Cebu-native Fajardo is currently ahead in the race with his 39.5 Statistical Points (SPs) after posting season averages of 20.17 points, 11.85 rebounds, 1.23 assists and 1.47 blocks.
Fajardo will become the first-ever player in the league to claim the citation for three consecutive seasons if he goes all the way.
The Gilas Pilipinas center may also become the second three-time MVP winner after PBA legend William Adornado.
At second place in the MVP race is TNT Katropa guard Jayson Castro, who is 5.2 SPs behind Fajardo with his 34.7 SPs. Castro has season averages of 20.05 points, 4.05 rebounds, 5.92 assists and 1.08 steals.
Completing the top five are GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Terrence Romeo (33.5 SPs), Alaska Aces’ Calvin Abueva (32.1 SPs) and Batang Pier guard Stanley Pringle (31.2 SPs).
Rounding up the top 10 are Beermen’s Arwind Santos (29.07 SPs), NLEX Road Warriors’ Sean Anthony (29.06 SPs), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Japeth Aguilar (29.0 SPs), Beermen’s Alex Cabagnot (28.6 SPs), and Road Warriors’ Asi Taulava (28.2 SPs).
Katropa’s Jeth Troy Rosario and Meralco Bolts’ Christopher Newsome, meanwhile, are at a tight race for the Rookie of the Year plum.
Rosario has 23.5 SPs while Newsome had 23.4 SPs. Blackwater Elite’s Arthur dela Cruz is at third place with 20.7 SPs, followed by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Maverick Ahanmisi (19.8 SPs), and 2015 top overall pick Moala Tautuaa of Katropa (19.3 SPs).
The announcement of the winner will be made before Game 4 of the 2016 Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup finals. Aside from the SPs, also included in the criteria for the MVP and ROY selection are votes from media, players and the PBA Commissioner’s Office./PN
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